Superflex Bankrupt Banks/ Fortis acquired by Government of the Netherlands and BNP Paribas, September 28th, 2008, 2012 Hand painted banner, cotton fabric, acrylic paint 200 x 215 cm Bankrupt Banks is a series of work that portray and explore the international financial crisis since 2008. The work are banners painted with logos of banks that were declared bankrupt and were acquired by other banks, governments or private entities. Originally designed to convey strength, authority and confidence, these now defunct symbols become portraits of failed power structures. Beginning with the acquisition of the British mortgage lender, Alliance and Leicester by Grupo Santander on July 14, 2008, the series acts as a sort of timeline, charting the collapse and subsequent reconfiguration of major international financial markets. While all of the works are unique, the series will grow as more banking institutions face either failure or reorganisation. Bankrupt Banks will continue to illuminate the failures and irregularities of a global financial system.
